Returning as a digital exclusive on Apple Music and Apple Music Classical, after a long absence from streaming platforms, are ten landmark recordings conducted by Herbert von Karajan – a towering figure of 20th-century music – all with the Berliner Philharmoniker.
Available from today [Friday 31 October], these treasures of the Warner Classics catalogue will remain exclusive to Apple Music for four weeks.
Few conductor-orchestra partnerships are as celebrated as Karajan and the Berliner Philharmoniker. Serving as principal conductor from 1956 until shortly before his death in 1989, Karajan shaped the orchestra’s identity over more than three decades, transforming it into a global powerhouse. His relentless pursuit of sonic perfection gave rise to the unmistakable “Karajan sound” – a rich, brassy palette paired with voluptuous strings – and helped usher classical recording into the modern era through meticulous attention to musical detail and engineering innovation.
Now, Apple Music Classical renews Karajan’s digital legacy with the exclusive release of ten remastered Warner Classics albums, recorded between 1971 and 1981 for EMI. Featuring works by Mozart, Beethoven, Dvořák, Wagner, Sibelius, Johann Strauss, Berlioz, Bizet, Gounod and Chabrier, this collection exemplifies the “dream team” of Karajan and the Berliner Philharmoniker. The performances reflect a performance culture defined by beauty of sound, virtuosity, and precision and an orchestra and conductor at the peak of their powers.
Originally recorded in analogue, the recordings have been painstakingly remastered to state-of-the-art standards at Abbey Road Studios and are available to stream in lossless quality up to 96/24.
“We are proud that Apple Music Classical will lead the digital renaissance of these recordings by Herbert von Karajan and the Berliner Philharmoniker,” says Anjali Malhotra, Global Director of Apple Music Classical. “Karajan was a defining force in music in the second half of the 20th century and his influence remains palpable. Though these recordings were made some 50 years ago, they remain as fresh and immediate as ever, and evocative of a golden age.”
Alain Lanceron, President, Warner Classics and Erato, says: “Herbert von Karajan established his global reputation in the 1950s with recordings for EMI that are now pillars of the Warner Classics catalogue. From later in the LP era, these newly re-released albums with the Berliner Philharmoniker provide further proof of his supremacy as a conductor. As a champion of technological innovation, he would have been gratified by the strong presence for his recordings on digital platforms, and Warner Classics is delighted to partner with Apple Music on this initial exclusive programme of ten releases.”
A further programme of Karajan/Berliner Philharmoniker digital releases will follow from Warner Classics later this year, comprising groundbreaking albums from more than 30 years of Karajan’s recording career. For further information, please see Warner Classic’s Karajan page HERE.
Details of Karajan and these 10 newly available recordings can be found on the Apple Music Classical Karajan page HERE
The ten albums include:
■ Sibelius: Finlandia, En Saga, Tapiola, The Swan of Tuonela & Karelia Suite Recording date: 1976-1981
■ Beethoven: The Five Piano Concertos (Soloist: Alexis Weissenberg) Recording date: 1974-1977
■ Karajan in Paris: Bizet, Chabrier, Gounod & Berlioz Recording date: 1978-1979
■ Mozart: Clarinet Concerto, Bassoon Concerto & Oboe Concerto Recording date: 1970-1971
■ Mozart: Concerto for Flute and Harp, Flute Concerto No. 1 & Sinfonia concertante for Wind Instruments Recording date: 1970-1971
■ Karajan Conducts Music of Johann Strauss: On the Beautiful Blue Danube, Emperor Waltz, Overture from Die Fledermaus Recording date: 1960-1975
■ Karajan Conducts Wagner, Vol. 1: Tannhäuser, Lohengrin & Tristan und Isolde Recording date: 1960-1974
■ Mozart: Symphonies Nos. 40 & 41 “Jupiter” Recording date: 1970
■ Dvořák: Symphony No. 9 ‘From the New World’, Smetana: Vltava Recording date: 1976-1978
■ Ravel: Boléro – Debussy: La Mer & Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune Recording date: 1977-1979